By Mahendra Prabhu
Jesus had a way of answering questions. When the Pharisee’s were questioning why he was
eating with sinners, he told them this story to illustrate how God sees the spiritual and the unspiritual. As I read this story, I reflected on the father’s love for both his sons and how he leads them both to a loving relationship. Let’s take a look.
Luke 15:11-24 TLB
11 To further illustrate the point, he told them this story: “A man had two sons. 12 When the younger told his father, ‘I want my share of your estate now, instead of waiting until you die!’ his father agreed to divide his wealth between his sons. 13 “A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and took a trip to a distant land, and there wasted all his money on parties and prostitutes. 14 About the time his money was gone a great famine swept over the land, and he began to starve. 15 He persuaded a local farmer to hire him to feed his pigs. 16 The boy became so hungry that even the pods he was feeding the swine looked good to him. And no one gave him anything. 17 “When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, ‘At home even the hired men have food enough and to spare, and here I am, dying of hunger! 18 I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, 19 and am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired man.”’ 20 “So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long distance away, his father saw him coming, and was filled with loving pity and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 “His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and you, and am not worthy of being called your son —’ 22 “But his father said to the slaves, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. And a jeweled ring for his finger; and shoes! 23 And kill the calf we have in the fattening pen. We must celebrate with a feast, 24 for this son of mine was dead and has returned to life. He was lost and is found.’ So the party began.
What are some characteristics that the father displayed that we can learn from his relationship
with the younger son?
● Patience
● Unconditional love
● Hopeful
● He did not take it personally
● Letting him fail face consequence of their decision
● Forgiving – No I told you so … why? Because he already saw fruit of his repentance
Luke 15:25-32 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the fields working; when he returned home, he heard dance music coming from the house, 26 and he asked one of the servants what was going on. 27 “‘Your brother is back,’ he was told, ‘and your father has killed the calf we were fattening and has prepared a great feast to celebrate his coming home again unharmed.’ 28 “The older brother was angry and wouldn’t go in. His father came out and begged him, 29 but he replied, ‘All these years I’ve worked hard for you and never once refused to do a single thing you told me to; and in all that time you never gave me even one young goat for a feast with my friends. 30 Yet when this son of yours comes back after spending your money on prostitutes, you celebrate by killing the finest calf we have on the place.’ 31 “‘Look, dear son,’ his father said to him, ‘you and I are very close, and everything I have is yours. 32 But it is right to celebrate. For he is your brother; and he was dead and has come back to life! He was lost and is found!’”
What were the father’s shortcomings?
● Caught up in the moment and he completely forgot about his older son. The servants knew more than his older son.
● His son worked hard. Did not rejoice with him enough, unappreciated
● Not valued for what he did for the family
How did he handle this after he knew about his older son’s anger?
● He gave an opportunity for his son express his frustration – validated his feelings
● He draws from their close relationship … “you and I are very close ”
● He was a voice for the other son.
● The words “He is your brother”, instead of “He is my son”
● Helping his older son to let go and see the good that has come out of this
The dad allowed the younger son to take responsibility for his actions. He did not try to control him. With the older son, he went out to talk to him and let him know that he is valued, teaching him to love his repentant brother.
Both these sons needed their father’s love. One had to be away to understand the value of his relationship, and the other needed to know that he has not been taken for granted.
As a parent, I find that often the needs of one child take up more of my attention than the child doing well. Each child has a different need. The father created a safe space for each child to express themselves to him without a fear of judgement. It opened doors for the children to get the help each needed.